Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the
Federal Government to “publish weekly details of exact funds and other
resources allocated by the authorities and received from the private
sector, as well as details of use and planned use of any such funds and
resources to combat the spread of coronavirus (or COVID-19) in Nigeria.”

SERAP is also asking the Federal Government to: “disclose information on
the exact number of tests that have been carried out for high-ranking
public officials and politicians, the number of any such high-ranking
public officials and politicians now in self-isolation or quarantine, as
well as the exact number of tests that have been carried out for the
country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”

In two Freedom of Information requests sent to Dr Osagie Ehanire,
Minister of Health and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, Nigeria
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), SERAP said: “We are concerned about
the lack of transparency in the use of the funds and resources being
mobilised to combat coronavirus, amid problems accessing the NCDC’s
website, and reports that authorities are prioritising home testing of
politicians, with some reportedly taking multiple tests.”

According to SERAP: “politicians engaging in multiple tests for
coronavirus have in turn slowed the number of tests for the country’s
poorest and most vulnerable people.”

In the FoI requests dated 27 March, 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy
director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “We are concerned
that lack of transparency in the use of the funds and resources to
combat COVID-19 would lead to diversion or mismanagement of resources,
unnecessarily cost lives, and result in serious damage to public health
in the country.”

SERAP said: “We urge you to disclose the level of enforcement for home
quarantine system for high-ranking public officials, politicians and the
wealthy, and whether the Ministry of Health and NCDC are carrying out
spot checks to ensure strict compliance by these people.”

The FoI requests read, in part: “Transparency and openness in the use of
funds and operations of the Ministry of Health and NCDC would help to
reduce the risk of corruption or opportunism, build trust and engage
Nigerians in the fight against coronavirus as well as safe lives.
Transparency and accountability are important to implementing an
effective response to COVID-19 and slowing the spread of the virus in
the country.”

“Given the importance of good hygiene like handwashing to any response
to COVID-19, SERAP would like you to disclose details of measures being
put in place by the Ministry of Health, the NCDC and any collaborative
work with the Ministry of Water Resources to provide vulnerable
Nigerians with safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions.”

“We are concerned that millions of Nigerians lack access to an improved
water source and to proper sanitation, thereby making them vulnerable to
COVID-19 and other illnesses.”

“Handwashing and social distancing will be very difficult to implement
for the poorest and most vulnerable people in a country where water
shortages are routine and millions continue to drink contaminated
water.”

“Limited availability of water in several public hospitals across the
country will also make it difficult for medical workers and health
professionals to wash their hands and will therefore make it difficult
for them to properly respond to COVID-19 and safe lives.”

“We would be grateful if the requested information is provided to us
within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we
have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal
actions under the Freedom of Information Act to compel you to comply
with our request.”

“Any failure or refusal to provide the information requested will also
be clearly inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Freedom of
Information Act.”

“According to our information, the Nigerian government has approved a
N10 billion (Naira) grant (about $27 million) to fight the spread of
coronavirus in the country. The government has also reportedly released
N5 billion (Naira) (about $13 million) special intervention fund to the
Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).”

“Also, banks, wealthy members of the private sector and foundations have
also donated billions of Naira to help fund medical centers and provide
essential materials necessary to curtail the spread of coronavirus in
the country.”

“By Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011, SERAP is
entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information,
including information on the exact amount of funds and resources meant
to combat the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.”

“By Sections 2(3)(d)(V) & (4) of the FoI Act, there is a binding legal
duty to ensure that documents containing information relating to the
spending and operations to combat the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria
are widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the
public through various means.”

“The information sought, apart from not being exempted from disclosure
under the FoI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public
concern, public health, interest of human rights, social justice, good
governance, transparency and accountability.”

SERAP therefore urged the Minister and NCDC director to:

1. urgently disclose details of exact funds and resources from
federal government, state governments and the private sector, as well as
details of use and planned use of any such funds and resources to combat
the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria
2. disclose information on the exact number of tests that have been
carried out for high-ranking public officials and politicians, the
number of any such high-ranking public officials and politicians now in
self-isolation or quarantine, as well as the exact number of tests that
have been carried out for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable
people
3. make Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC)’s website
functional and accessible and publish on your website and widely weekly
spending on initiatives such procurement, testing, early detection and
isolation of confirmed cases, follow-up
4. Disclose processes and procedures put in place to ensure that the
funds and resources allocated to combat COVID-19 are not diverted,
stolen or mismanaged
5. Disclose measures to protect health workers and to encourage the
country’s poorest and most vulnerable people to come forward for testing
and to escalate testing for this group